Drywall in the cold

I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
degrees at night.

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On Mon, 9 Jan 2012 04:08:07 -0800 (PST), Kevin Bremner wrote:
> I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
> the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
> it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
> heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
> however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
> really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
> concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
> finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
> shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
> temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
> degrees at night.

I'm no expert but I believe that is not an issue with drywall.
After all, unoccupied houses have it installed and it's still good after
years of exposure to the cold.
If you can though, talk to dry wall installers in your area and ask them.

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On 1/9/2012 7:08 AM, Kevin Bremner wrote:
> I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
> the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
> it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
> heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
> however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
> really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
> concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
> finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
> shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
> temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
> degrees at night.

If you are worried, maybe put in a small 1500 watt electric heater, and
close the doors? That likely will maintain the temp well above freezing
(which is the only issue I can think of) until the mud is 'dry'.

> I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
> the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
> it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
> heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
> however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
> really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
> concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
> finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
> shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
> temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
> degrees at night.

I'm just an amateur, but have installed a lot of drywall. When the temps
get cold, it can take a long time for the joint compound to dry. When we
drywalled our garage, some areas took well over a day to completely dry.

I wouldn't want to risk the mud freezing as ice crystals could form and
cause odd results. Maybe close off the room and run a small electric heater
to keep the room above freezing.

You could also try using a setting type compound that cures chemically
rather than drying. They come with a variety of cure times from 15 minutes
to 90 minutes. I'm no speed pro, so I usually go with the 90 minute
option. It comes dry in bags and you have to mix up the batch yourself with
water. However, I find it can still take nearly a day for the moisture to
dry out, even once the compound sets and hardens. Setting compound is also
harder and more difficult to sand, so you probably won't want to use it for
the final coat(s).

Use the 90 set quick mud.
It will still be nice to be somewhat warm during application, but the mud
will set depending on the grade purchased.
I mix small batches at a time, and it does mix well.
I also wash tools as soon as I am done mixing so that it does not set on
them.
Then go for it with the 90 set.

Can cover lots of area and also can "wet sand" or I usually use the flat
blade to knock off the highs so that it is ready to mud again.
jloomisconstruction.com

"Kevin Bremner" wrote in message
news:...

I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
degrees at night.

I have used 90 set extensively and for finish also.
Never a problem and works fine.
I usually knock down the highs with the blade after about 90 min.
No dust either......
And sanding is usual too.
A little heat only helps.
john

"HerHusband" wrote in message
news:Xns9FD54603FC89Cherhusband@88.198.244.100...
> I will be putting the final pieces of drywall up in the addition in
> the next day or so and will be ready to mud. Question is, how cold can
> it get? Heat during application is not an issue. I have a torpedo
> heater which keeps it nice and toasty while I'm in there working,
> however, there is no permanent heat until the floor goes down. I don't
> really like the idea of running that heater all night long but I'm
> concerned about letting the temps go too low that it will affect the
> finished product. Can I leave the heat on until the mud dries and then
> shut it off until the next day? I am in a cold climate and the outside
> temp lately is mid teens at night so the addition goes below 32
> degrees at night.

I'm just an amateur, but have installed a lot of drywall. When the temps
get cold, it can take a long time for the joint compound to dry. When we
drywalled our garage, some areas took well over a day to completely dry.

I wouldn't want to risk the mud freezing as ice crystals could form and
cause odd results. Maybe close off the room and run a small electric heater
to keep the room above freezing.

You could also try using a setting type compound that cures chemically
rather than drying. They come with a variety of cure times from 15 minutes
to 90 minutes. I'm no speed pro, so I usually go with the 90 minute
option. It comes dry in bags and you have to mix up the batch yourself with
water. However, I find it can still take nearly a day for the moisture to
dry out, even once the compound sets and hardens. Setting compound is also
harder and more difficult to sand, so you probably won't want to use it for
the final coat(s).

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